Pubdate: Fri, 9 Jul 2010
Source: Gazette-Enterprise (TX)
Copyright: 2010 Seguin Gazette-Enterprise Inc.
Contact: http://www.seguingazette.com/letter.lasso
Website: http://www.seguingazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3066
Author:  Ron Maloney, The Gazette-Enterprise
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials.

RESIDENTS' TIPS LEAD TO NARCOTICS RAIDS

SEGUIN -- Police have begun a series of drug searches based on
information developed from a new narcotics hotline -- netting crack
cocaine and cash in a raid Wednesday night, and marijuana and
prescription drugs in another Thursday afternoon.

Police Chief Kevin Kelso said the police department's narcotics unit
went to an apartment in the [redacted] at 9:30
p.m. in response to information received from the recently established
SPD Narcotics Tips Line.

As a result, investigators found 11 grams of crack, nearly half an
ounce of marijuana, a syringe believed loaded with heroin, and $277
that authorities believe could be the proceeds of illegal drug sales.

[redacted] were booked into
Guadalupe County Jail on allegations of manufacturing or delivering
between 4 and 200 grams of a controlled substance, penalty group 1 and
possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Both remained in jail
Thursday.

At about noon Thursday, the Guadalupe County SWAT team accompanied
police to a home in the [redacted] where police
seized about half an ounce of marijuana and prescription drugs.

Kelso said [redacted] was booked on allegations of
possession of a dangerous drug and possession of less than 2 ounces of
marijuana and taken to county jail.

Kelso said the calls have been rolling in to the tip line, and police
and sheriff's deputies would be making similar visits in the coming
days and weeks.

"Nothing blights a neighborhood like illegal drug activity," Kelso
said. "We've invited the public to trust us, be our eyes and ears and
report information about illegal activity. This telephone tip line,
401-2391, is specifically for reporting narcotics-related
information.

Kelso said not every tip can immediately result in raids like those
conducted Wednesday and Thursday. Sometimes a tip doesn't provide the
kind of information that can result in the issuance of a search warrant.

But that information is still retained, cross-referenced and analyzed
and often can provide a key to concluding an ongoing
investigation.

"Law enforcement is a partnership between the police and the citizens
we serve," Kelso said. "Rest assured, if you call us and report
illegal activity, our commitment to you is we're going to follow up
and investigate it, make arrests where we can and help you stop this
activity."

Studies have shown that 90 percent of crime across a spectrum ranging
from family violence to burglaries, robberies, assaults and even
murder are related directly or indirectly to drug abuse.

"It's been shown that suppressing drug activity reduces crime," Kelso
said. "We're interested in reducing crime and helping make our
neighborhoods safer."

Since Kelso announced the tip line initiative, police have received
dozens of tips, and he has heard broad community support -- including
from Sheriff Arnold Zwicke. (See "Letters to the Editor," Page 4)

He has also weathered some criticism because he's asking the public to
report crime. One such letter from former Michigan police officer
Howard Wooldridge, takes Kelso to task for asking people to "snitch
on" their neighbors and referred to Seguin as a "police state" town.

Kelso shrugs it off.

Wooldridge, he notes, founded Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
(LEAP), which advocates an end to all drug prohibition instead of
prosecution of drug offenders.

"If, as I've heard, Mr. Wooldridge favors giving up instead of
fighting drugs on our streets and in our neighborhoods, he might not
mind having a crack house next door to his home and his family," Kelso
said. "I know I wouldn't like it and I don't think Seguin residents
should tolerate it. Together, as a team, I believe we can stop it."

Want to Help?

Is there drug-related activity in your neighborhood? Police want to
hear about it. Dial 830-401-2391 and leave your information. You don't
have to leave your name. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake